A warm, enthusiastic Opening Convocation ceremony ushered in the Sweet Briar College 2004-05 academic season - the school's 99th session - on Wednesday, Aug. 25 in Murchison Lane Auditorium.

SBC President Elisabeth Muhlenfeld and Jonathan Green, dean of the College, both addressed the crowd with encouraging news and advice for the upcoming year. Matthew Calarco, professor of philosophy and recipient of the 2004 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Student Government Association, spoke of his relatively short but stimulating time at Sweet Briar.

The ceremony also served to introduce new faculty members and present academic prizes and scholarships to students.

Following an invocation by the Rev. Guy Brewer, chaplain of the College, President Muhlenfeld welcomed faculty, staff, and new students with words of optimism reflecting Sweet Briar's new role as a pre-eminent "women's college for the 21st century."

"There are not many moments in life so filled with promise as the beginning of an academic year, and this year promises to be very special indeed," she said, noting the first-time presence on campus of graduate students in the Master of Arts in Teaching program as well as the newly launched Engineering Studies Program.

"Even if a student plans to major in classics or Spanish or sociology," she said, "she can take an engineering course or two and gain something that few women in the nation have: an understanding of what engineering is, and how engineers approach problems."

She also summarized the past year of examining future needs and strategic planning and what they mean for the College's future. "All of the conversations and discussions we held here and around the country to explore the shape of Sweet Briar's future have borne fruit," she said. "This year promises the beginning of rethinking how we do some of our most important work.

"To this end, faculty and staff will extend their engagement with students in developing a unique vision for each student's future that integrates all of her learning experiences during her college years and beyond."

In his speech, Dean Green emphasized the wisdom to be gained from fellow students, professors, and colleagues in an academic setting such as Sweet Briar.

"With Dr. Calarco speaking to us today, I believe it is a good opportunity to remind ourselves that we are all philosophers," he said. "This is a community of philosophers, literally lovers of wisdom. Each of us - faculty, students, and staff - has chosen to come here to make our contribution to this learning community, and in this shared intellectual journey through the liberal arts, we strive to achieve this wisdom."

After Professor Calarco, who arrived at Sweet Briar in 2002, addressed the audience, Green named recipients of academic prizes for the upcoming year.

"It is appropriate that at the beginning of a new academic year we take a moment to recognize the accomplishments of returning students. New members of the student body - the Class of 2008, new advanced standing and turning point students - need only to look at those we will honor today to find good role models for academic success."

The following scholarships were awarded:

• The Emilie Watts McVea Scholars: Melanie Hope Eanes Campbell '05, Ashley Jean Rogers '05, Karliana Brooks Sakas '06, Ploy Pritsangkul '07, Jennifer Leigh Summerfield '07


• The Alumna Daughter Scholarship: Elizabeth Lynn Farnsworth '05


• The Mary Kendrick Benedict Scholar: Charlotte Dianne Formichella '06


• The Jean Besselievre Boley Award: Meredith Katherine Richel '05


• The Laura Buckham Book Award: Courtney Patricia Matthews '06


• The Julia Sadler de Coligny Award: Colleen Elizabeth Karaffa '06


• The Gill Scholars: Anel Avila '06; Leah Kathleen Reedy '05


• The Kenmore Scholars: Catherine Helen Sobke '05; Lea Beatrice Pyne '06


• The Rebecca Tomlinson Lindblom Award: Nell Guenna-Beatrice Champoux '05


• The Manson Scholar: Amanda Jane Watts '05


• Irene Mitchell Moore Scholar: Samira Hossain '05


• The Rickards Scholars: Rebekah Ann McSpadden '07; Natalie Amelia Pye '07


• The Shakespeare Prize: Maud Anton Pinter '05


• The Mary Mackintosh Sherer Scholar: Karliana Brooks Sakas '06


• The Sweet Briar Fine Arts Scholar: Rosanna Louise Hawkins '07